The veteran manager kept the Black Cats in the Premier League last season, and decided to remain on Wearside despite plans to retire - but it now looks like that will be the next step for Advocaat having resigned after Saturday's 2-2 draw with West Ham United.

Bookmakers are pricing up odds for who could replace Advocaat - here are some of the notable names involved this evening, with odds compiled by Oddschecker.

Odds shortening

It seems like Sunderland may be moving closer to an appointment, but some outsiders continue to have their odds shortened. Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes is now as short as 22/1 to be the next Sunderland manager after a sensational start to the Scottish Premiership season, but the Scot remains a long shot.

Another manager in a similar situation is Thomas Schaaf. The German, formerly of Werder Bremen, is a free agent having left Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of last season, and is now at 25/1 to make the move to the Stadium of Light, in what would be a shock move.

Odds drifting

Nigel Pearson has been linked with a move back to the North East throughout the week, but his odds are consistently drifting. The former Middlesbrough defender and ex-Newcastle caretaker is looking to get back in to management having left Leicester City, but at 16/1, it doesn't look like it will be with Sunderland.

A hot name earlier this week, Bob Bradley looks less and less likely to take the job. The ex-United States manager is currently in Norway with Stabaek, and the American would certainly be a familiar name to Sunderland owner Ellis Short, but he has been moved back out to 20/1 today.

The favourite

After a report from the Daily Mail stated that Sunderland are set for talks with Sam Allardyce in the hope of appointing him before facing West Bromwich Albion next weekend, bookmakers have responded quickly. 'Big Sam' is now as short as 1/8 to be the next Sunderland manager, potentially returning to his former club.

Olly Dawes

Olly is a Sports Management graduate and aspiring journalist, with most of his work surrounding football or NFL. He has formed two of his own sites, as well as contributing to a number of others before starting with Here Is The City.